Yesterday at the UK's Federation of Bakers Conference, Food and Drink Federation (FDF) president John Sunderland outlined in a keynote speech what he saw as the major issues affecting the baking industry.
These include the focus on the relationship between food and health, the need to liberalise international trade, the rise of sustainability as a policy development for industries and governments and the provision of information to consumersboth for existing products and in the field of genetic modification.
"The UK bread industry is a vital sector, and as you know the second largest in the food industry, with annual sales of over £3 billion, employing over 20,000 people," said Sunderland.
"Currently we are confronted with an increased focus on the relationshipbetween diet and health, and the role our industry plays. Lobby groups, NGOs and even government departments here in the UK are trying to identify the levers to pull which might improve the nation's nutritional health - particularly in the area of obesity."
Sunderland believes that this ignores the real issue. "We are eating far fewer calories than we were 20 years ago, so why are we getting heavier? Because we are also taking far less exercise.
"Suggestions have included so called fat taxes, restrictions on thepromotions of certain foods and the general demonisation of certain food choices.These are developments which we cannot ignore. Our industry must take its place in the debate, robustly defend the cause of common sense, and consider how we can be part of the solution."
Sundeland, it should be noted, is also the chairman of Cadbury Schweppes, a company which has been vocal in its opposition to the possibility of anti-obesity legislation. The confectioner has been criticised in some quarters for its Get Active programme, where schools get sports equipment in return for chocolate wrappers.
Sunderland points out that UK bread manufacturers have reduced salt across the product range by a quarter since the 1980s. Other manufacturers in breakfast cereals and soups and sauces have now agreed with the FSA both how to measure the significant salt reductions already achieved as well as those planned.
"Similar sterling work has been the Federation of Bakers' role in publicising bread as a crucially important source of complex carbohydrates. But there is no doubt that the maximum impact can only be achieved if all parties work together, including the food chain, government, regulators and educators."
The FDF is the voice of the UK's food and drink manufacturing industry. It covers all food and drink manufacturing sectors and raises awareness of the key issues affecting businesses in the industry.